Mom’s expression shifts, her voice tinged with rare maternal warmth. “I hate this for you, Kerry. Nothing breaks our hearts more than seeing our daughter start over instead of building on top of your illustrious career. We know you’ll take back everything you lost, don’t let your fear hold you back. You’ve already escaped that hell of a marriage. There shouldn’t be anything stopping you from reclaiming your life.”

Dad nods, his gaze steady. “That’s right. You got rid of the dead weight. So, keep trying to get that record expunged. Your mom and I have plenty of money saved up for a good attorney and, hopefully, a judge who isn’t in Cory’s family’s pocket. We support and love you. And we know you’re gonna move forward from this.”

Their words settle over me, sharp and unavoidable, piercing through the thin armor I’ve built around my failures. They’re not wrong. I’ve been stuck, letting life toss me around like a leaf in the wind.

But standing here, staring at the remnants of their very active love life, just makes me tired.

“Thanks for the pep talk, Mom and Dad,” I reach for the open bottle of wine on the counter. “Now, can y’all at least lock the door next time? I don’t think I’m ever gonna look at whipped cream the same.”

“Perhaps knock before you enter next time!” Mom calls after me, her laugh trailing behind me as I escape to my room.

I slam the door shut and press my back against it, clutching the wine bottle like a lifeline. The laughter outside fades, replaced by the heavy silence of my thoughts.

I thought moving back home would be temporary until I got back on my feet. But temporary has stretched into a permanent residency, and that reality is closing in on me like a tidal wave.

I flop onto my bed, where Tum Tum, my fat orange tabby, is curled up like the judgment-free king he is. His steady purring offers a small comfort as I unscrew the wine cap and take a long swig straight from the bottle.

“You’re living your best life, Tum Tum,” I scratch behind his ears. “No bills, no layoffs, no parental trauma. Just vibes and Fancy Feast.”

The wine burns as it goes down, loosening the knot in my chest just enough for me to exhale. I sip and wallow, letting my thoughts spiral into their usual cycle of self-pity and frustration.

Then my phone buzzes.

I glance at the screen, squinting at the notification.

Hot Job Alert: Tutor Wanted

I groan, tossing my phone onto the bed. Another job I won’t get hired for. Another rejection waiting to happen. I gulp down the wine until my throat’s filled with nothing but air and bury my face in Tum Tum’s fur, his soft warmth lulling me into a restless, tipsy stupor.